Justice Secretary David Lammy has initiated an independent investigation into the erroneous release of a failed asylum seeker who sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl. Ethiopian national Hadush Kebatu, who was mistakenly set free from HMP Chelmsford instead of being transferred to an immigration detention center, was apprehended after a two-day search.
Lammy informed Parliament that Kebatu would soon be repatriated to Ethiopia. Nonetheless, he expressed deep concern and anger on behalf of the victims and the public, emphasizing that the error was unacceptable and should have been prevented. He stressed the need for accountability and immediate action to avoid similar erroneous releases that could endanger the public.
Attributing the release to “human error,” Lammy emphasized the necessity of investigating the incident thoroughly. Dame Lynn Owens, a former deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, has been assigned to delve into the circumstances leading to Kebatu’s release and is expected to engage with the victims to understand the implications.
Enhanced scrutiny will now be enforced on all prisoner releases following a rapid appraisal of procedures by the head of His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). Stricter oversight and a comprehensive checklist for governors to verify the correct application of procedures before any release are among the measures being implemented. Foreign nationals facing deportation will only be released in the presence of a duty governor, and removals from HMP Chelmsford have been halted temporarily.
Lammy informed MPs that mistaken releases have been increasing annually, with the number rising from an average of nine per month in 2023 to 17 per month in the January to June 2024 period. The Justice Secretary engaged in a heated exchange with Conservative counterpart Robert Jenrick, blaming the previous government for a deteriorating justice system due to severe budget cuts and diminished staffing levels.
Jenrick criticized the handling of the situation as an “absolute farce” and accused Lammy of evading responsibility for the consequences of their policies. Lammy rebutted, attributing the errors to a system under strain from previous government actions.
Amid concerns about the impact of visa restrictions on prison staffing, Governor Paul Crossey of HMP Feltham raised issues about the deportation of foreign national officers. The Minister of Justice, Jake Richards, confirmed discussions with the Home Office regarding the visa constraints affecting prison staff.
The government emphasized the necessity to reduce net migration while assuring that prison officers on Skilled Worker visas would be allowed to continue their roles and apply for visa extensions as needed. Efforts are underway to recruit officers already settled in the UK to address staffing challenges in prisons.